Dirty Pair Fanfiction

Here's Ch 106-Part 1-K&K:smile:

DISCLAIMER: OK Misty, it's all yours! First, thank you to Mr. T. for the use of the Angels. Thanks to everyone else who is letting us use their creations. How was that, Yuri? Great! Oh yes it was, Kei! Well, we left you up in the air so let's get to Chapter 106 without further preamble:-

Chapter 106

'An Archangel's Antics' or 'Nat Gets A Family'

"Oro have you got back there that looks like iced tea?" whispered Cag to the monk.

" 'Crown Royal' Skotch whiskey but if you wanna slip the strait-laced Lieutenant a 'Mickey' (a 'Mickey Finn' is a knockout drink) you'd be better off with this stuff." replied Miroku, producing a fifth of 'Smirnoff's' vodka.

"Skotch for me and that for Nat. You sure she won't realize that's in her drink, monk? Like yeah- it's colorless but how about the taste?" asked the young ensign.

"Tasteless too especially in iced tea, kiddo." promised Miroku. For about a half an hour or so, Natarle Badgiruel was drinking iced tea like mad! Cagalli Yula Athna had her first taste of 90 proof Skotch whiskey and she'd belted it down 'chug-a-lug' style the way she'd seen the older guys and girls do! The amber liquid burnt her throat like fire all the way down but it did give her tummy a warm feeling. After that initial shot, the blonde drank more judisciously.

Cag and nat decided to shoot some pool and after a few games (all won by Nat) the Lieutenant observed "Getting damned hot in here!" Nat unzipped her borrowed vest, yanked it off and tossed it on a table. The heavy boots and her socks soon followed it. Standing in her bare feet, Nat made or rather tried to make a tricky bank shot which she missed a sunk the cue ball! "Shit! That was a lousy shot!" she said and peeled off her leather pants! This left her in a black turtleneck which soon followed the rest of her wrdrobe! Now all she had on was a sleeveless black tank top and silky red unerbriefs! Miroku sure hoped there was something under that top besides skin! "If Sango or any of the 'Insane Six' show up now, I'm dead! I'm going to be in deep trouble unless I do something fast!" he thought.

Cagalli, on the other hand, was enjoying herself to no end! "Hey monk, got a camera back there?" she giggled and that was IT- as far as Miroku was concerned anyway! He had decided that things had gone far enough- way too far!

"Nai! I don't and even if I did, I sure as jigoku would NOT let you use it to humiliate this poor young lady for your own amusement!" yelled Miroku, vaulting over the bar and snatching a tablecloth off the nearest table, he draped it across Nat's bare shoulders. Then he whirled to face Cagalli Yula Athna. "Show's over, kid! Get her the Hell outta here before somebody sees her!" said an angry Miroku.

"Somebody like me, monk?" asked a grinning Legato Bluesummers who ahd just arrived for his break. "Relax, pal. I'll be glad to help Miss--" he began and stopped.

"Athna, Cagalli Yula. Ensign. 'Archangel'- 'Earth Alliance'. Pleased to meet you, sir." replied Cag, saluting him.

"Please! It's just Legato. As I was saying, I'll help Cagalli to get the kawaii Lieutenant back home. Er, where is home?" asked the 'Angel's' pilot. Cag and Miroku had been gathering up Nat's discarded garments.

"She's in with Miss Valentine, er, Faye and I'm bunking with Flay, Robin Senna and Yumi. We're on Level 3, Legato." said Cagalli.

"OK, monk- see if the coast is clear." said Legato, hefting Nat effortlessly onto his back in the fireman's carry.

"Nobody's in sight now. Better get a move on." said Miroku, leading them quickly to the lift. "Level 3. Faye Valentine's suite. Stat." ordered the monk to lift control before leaping off the car and returning to his bar. The lift carried the trio up to Level 3 where they exited almost across from 'Faye's Orphanage'.

"Open Sesame!" intoned Cagalli hopefully, her gloved palm flat on the door control panel.

"Incorrect code has been given. Onegai give the correct code, Miss." replied door control. Cag glanced at Legato in alarm.

"Don't look at me, kiddo! I dunno the codes for this level." he said.

"Perhaps I could be of some assistance, Miss?" said a small voice beside the ensign. Cag glanced down at a small lad of six or so who barely reached to her knees.

"Conan Edogawa- at your service, Miss. Hello, Mr Bluesummers, sir. Oro seems to be the problem?" he asked.

"I've, er, forgotten my room's password, Conan. Can you help?" asked the blonde.

"Yeah! And, er, Lt Nat's no lightweight either, kiddies! Hurry up before I drop her ass!" complained Legato.

"Could you onegai lift me up to the control panel, Miss?" asked the boy.

"Sure, Conan." replied Cagalli, picking him up and holding him in front of the controls.

"Your full name, onegai?" he asked.

"Cagalli Yula Athna." she replied. Conan crossed a few wires and-

"Onegai choose a password for yourself, Miss." said the lad to which Legato replied-

"And quick!" He shifted Nat's weight and staggered back a few steps.

Cag thought for a moment. "Ensign?" she suggested. Conan shook his head slowly.

"Nai, not a title nor a name. We need a word." he said, fingers poised over the keyboards.

"OK. How about-- 'archangel'?" offered Cagalli.

Conan tapped a few keys. "OK. Let's try it, shall we? Put me down first." said Conan and she did so.

"Place your palm flat on that larger panel but first remove your glove- your right hand one. (Cag placed her bared palm flat on the panel) Now state your full name, pause and then say the password. That should do it, Miss." said the kid, replacing his toolkit into his pocket.

"Cagalli Yula Athna. (Cag paused a second) Archangel." she intoned and the door swished open.

"Finally!" yelled Legato, pushing past her with his burden and stumbling into the living room. "Where's her room, kid?" he demanded.

"Over there, Legato. (Cag opened the door to Faye's bedroom) Third bunk back on the left." said Cagalli. Legato dumped Nat onto the indicated bunk and breathed a sigh of relief.

"Man! Is that babe heavy! (Then he noticed Conan's spectacles) Hey! Weird looking specs, kid!" he said while yanking them off the kid's face! "Oro's this thing for?" he asked curiously while pressing a concealed button in the frame.

"Don't push that, Mr B!" cried Conan just a second too late. ZING! A dart loaded with knockout drugs had struck the sleeping brunette square in her derriere! Conan grabbed his glasses back from Legato and put them back on.

"Sorry Miss but the Lieutenant will be sleeping for about a half hour now, I'm afraid. That was a knockout dart we use in Uncle Richard's detective business back home." explained the boy sheepishly.

"She'll be as mad as all Hell when she wakes up!" cried Cagalli. "I sure as Hell don't wanna be here when she comes to either!" she added, her hand on the hallway portal panel.

"Well, thanks for all your help, kid." said Legato.

"Yeah, Conan. Thanks a bunch. Do you know where this holodeck where Faye is supposed to be is located?" she asked them both.

"Yes, Miss. I know where it is. Come along with me." replied Conan.

"I'm going back to the rec room. I'm missing my coffee break. Catch you later, kiddies!" said Legato, returning to the lift. Conan and Cag secured the door and then headed for another lift.

"Level 8. Holodecks, please." said Conan, after they had boarded the lift car. A few minutes later they reached Level 8, Conan called for the 'Archway' entrance and sent Cag into the holodeck program. Then Conan took the lift up to Level 9. He wasn't allowed up there, of course, but Conan knew his way around the security on this tub the same as Ed did! He wanted to see the bridge he'd heard so much about and nothing and nobody was going to stop him either!

Meanwhile back on the holodecks- Cagalli had stepped right into the heart of a disciplinary problem. "Can't you make her stop that awful caterwhawling? You are sorta like her father, aren't you, Sess?" asked a distraught Yumi Ishiyama.

Sesshomaru folded his arms. "Not really. She''s mad at me. She dotes on Jaken and sees him as 'Daddy' now, not me." he explained.

"I want Master Jaken! Where is he? Why isn't he here? Daddy!" wailed a tearful Rin.

"There there! MasterJaken can't come right now, Rin. Please stop crying." said Shippou soothingly.

"I don't care! If you don't get him, I'll hold my breath until I turn aoishi!" cried the adopted ward. Cagalli sidles over to Flay Allster.

"Where is this 'Jaken' dude?" she whispered.

"How the Hell should I know?" replied Flay.

"He's a gunner aboard 'Starcrusher' and they're guarding 'Gysymeo'." explained Faye.

"Where's the Lieutenant?" asked Flay.

"She's, er, indisposed so I left her down in her room. Flay Allster! Oro on Earth are you wearing?giggled Cagalli.

Cont in Ch 106-Part 2

Here's Ch 106-Part 2-K&K:smile:

"My new mizugi, er, bathing suit! Don't you like it, Cag? Faye made it for me. I think it's really rad!" said Flay.

"Yeah. It looks great on you, Flay. Wish I had one. That water looks so cool!" said Cagalli enviously.

"Hi there, kid. There's an extra suit for you in my tote bag. It's in the second cabana from the left. (She glanced at her wristchromo) If you hurry, we'll just have enough time for a swim before dinner so scoot." said the cowgirl. Cag dashed in the indicated direction, found the cabana and went inside. In Faye's bag she found the most kawaii black bikini she'd ever seen. Cag stripped off her outer clothing and slid into it. It fitted her form like it was molded to her body. The color contrasted perfectly with her blonde hair and deep aoishi aizu. She put on the black terrycloth beach kimono but she spurned the shades and sandals.

Back she ran to the pool and shed the kimono just before she dove into the cool refreshing water. Flay, Yumi, Robin Senna, Jessie, Misty, Rachel, Serena, Ed, Aelita, Rei, Ami, Mina, Mako and Leila were all splashing around happily when Cagalli dove in. Rin was pouting and would not get into the pool at all! She had already pulled her wet suit off and was clad in her kimono and nothing else!

"I know!" she thought to herself, "I'll ask Auntie Yuri to let Uncle jaken come back home!" Rin clapped her little hands and ran up to the back wall of the holodeck's holographic hotel. "Archway now." she commanded. Looking back she saw that nobody had even noticed her absence. When the arch appeared she slipped through it and back into the outer holodeck chamber. "Close arch." she ordered and the program scene vanished. Rin took one step into the corridor and her holo kimono vanished too! So intent was the child on getting up to the command deck that she didn't notice its disappearance. Rin quickly found the gantryway that led to the dumb waiter that the nice Ninja turtle with the purple mask (Donnatella) had shown her earlier. This contrivance was used to ferry supplies up to the bridge and nav room. She hopped into the car and shut the door behind her. Then she pulled on the rope and was drawn quietly up the shaft, the quiet motor muffled by the thick inner bulkhead walls. She quietly left the dumb waiter on Level 9 and found herself inside the small galley behind the bridge area. But Rin was not alone!

Conan Edogawa had ridden this self same conveyance up to the galley earlier. "Rin! You shouldn't be up here- especially like that! Goodness! Put this on before you freeze to death!" he said. Always the gentleman, Conan whipped off his suitoat and draped it round Rin's bare shoulders. "Oro are you doing running around like that- in your underthings? Where are your clothes?" he whispered.

That was Rin finally realized her predicament! She speedily pulled on Conan's jacket and fastened it closed. However, she being taller than Conan, the coat barely reached to Rin's waist! "Conan! Oro am I going to do? My clothes are all downstairs on the holodeck!" she whimpered.

"Don't cry, Rin. ('Ka-Mi! She sure puts me in mind of little Amy back home!' he thought) Auntie Kei told me that each suite up here has a replicator so we'll just rep you up some things to wear. Come on and be quiet." He took Rin by the hand and after checking carefully to make sure the coast was clear, he quickly hustled her into the back bedroom suite used by he, Rachel and Richard Moore their first night aboard the ship. He soon found the replicator. "Sit down here and be very quiet. I'll rep up some clothes for you." he added and Rin wrapped a blanket around herself and gave him a wan smile. Conan spoke Rin's name and age into the device which immediately confirmed that the child's measurements were on file. Conan continued to place his order-

"Replicate the following pieces of female apparrel: Undershirt and underpants- both white. Jeans- aoishi. Socks- white. Tee-shirt- green. Sneakers- white. Jacket and cap- colors optional. Replicate now." he finished and in a few moments he handed Rin the small pile of clothing and shoved her into the bedroom to change. Five minutes later she handed him back his jacket and helped him into it. Now that she was dressed, Rin had stopped blushing and crying and she smiled at the boy.

"Thanks a lot, Conan. I'd have been lost without you." she said and now it was his turn to blush.

"It was nothing, Rin. If we're real quiet we can get to the bridge." said Conan in a whisper.

"But I want to ask Auntie Yuri something." said Rin.

"You can't! We'll be in real hot water if we're caught! We're not allowed up here, Rin! Why don't I just take you down to your room and we can call her on the vidphone, OK? But first, let's take a quick peek at the bridge." said Conan. Rin agreed and they slipped through the bridge's rear entrance.

"Look at all the pretty lights!" whispered Rin in awe.

"Very sophisticated electronics too!" agreed Conan.

"Glad ya like it. Oro the Hell are you two doing up here? This place is 'off limits' to you kids! Sango! Get over here now!" Squirm as they might, Rin and Conan were being held in a Kelvinite grip and just could NOT get loose! The big hanyou was not amused by their antics either. Neither was Auntie Sango! She marched over to the duo and told Inu Yasha that she would handle things now.

"Be my guest, Sango! Just remember that they didn't get up here on 'my' watch! My shift was up ten minutes ago. It's your ass if Kei find out- not mine, man!" said Inu Yasha.

"Watch your mouth, Dog-Boy! They're just kids! Where is the 'Boss' anyway?" asked Sango.

"Next door with Mar in the nav room. Kome's still at the pool. Get them back to their rooms and I'll cover for you." replied the hanyou.

"Thanks, Inu yasha- I owe you one. C'mon, you two! I dunno how you got up here but you're sure not staying!" said Sango, turning and snatching them both by their collars. Both kids aizu went wide! Sango had shucked off both jacket and vest which left her in a daring tank top with her holstered blaster in full view!

Noticing the kids' stares she explained. "I have to carry this darn thing whenever I'm on duty- like now. It's a bit dangerous up here which is why small children like you are not allowed up here on the command deck! You look quite nice, Rin. New outfit?" said Sango and Rin nodded. "Let's go." she added and stiff arm marched them to the lift which they rode down to Level 3 together where Sango rapped on Faye's door. "No answer? That's a bit odd since Cag said that Nat was in there." said Sango with a frown.

"She can't come to the door, Auntie Sango." said Conan quietly and he explained the circumstances to her.

"Let me get this straight, kid! You say that legato saw Lt nat in her skivvies and then he accidentally hit her in the a- er rear end with a knockout dart fired from your glasses? (Conan nodded) She'll kill him if she ever finds that out so this is going to be just our little secret, OK? (Conan and Rin both agreed) Who else knows about it?" asked Sango.

"Auntie Cagalli and Mr Monk were both at the bar." replied Conan.

"Miroku! Ka-Mi! He'll never keep his big mouth shut unless I can 'persuade' him to! You two come along with me." she said while guiding them both to the lift.

"Where are we going, Auntie Sango?" asked Conan.

"It's almost dinnertime so you two can help out Leila in the galley and dining hall." replied Sango. She dropped them both off with Leila who immediately put them to work setting tables. Sango strolled next door to 'explain' things to the monk! After she'd kicked him in the shins for the third time, Miroku finally got the message and readily agreed to keep their little 'secret' from Nat. Meanwhile one level up, Nat was just waking up-

"Ooh! My head! Oro the Hell did that whacko monk put in my drin? How the devil did I get up here? Faye? Yumi? Cag? Flay? Anybody?" said the assistant weapons officer aloud but she got no replies. Nat sat up and slid out of her bunk just before the klaxons burst into life and intensified Nat's hangover!

"Attention all hands! Our shuttles have returned! We are commencing our time loop repairs momentarily. Unless you were aboard during our 'Klingon' bird-of-prey encounter, onegai either remain in your quarters or confine yourselves to the rec room or dining hall on Level Two. It is now 1600 hours and dinner will be served at 1700 hours. All galley personnel are requested to report to Leila at once. Our new assistant weapons officer is requested to report to engineering on Level Four at once! Report to Chief Engineer Donnatella for training. Lt Nat Badgiruel- that's you! Gunner's mate trainee Ensigns Flay Allster and Cagalli Athna are required immediately on the Holodecks on Level Eight for combat weapons training. Battle uniforms will be provided for you. All other personnel will report to their unit leaders who will assign them to their duties for this exercise. That is all. Kome out." The speakers went blessedly silent and nat Badgiruel walked to the door and keyed it open. She took one step out into the mirrored corridor and stopped dead in her tracks!

Cont in Ch 106-Part 3

Here's Ch 106-Part 3-K&K:smile:

She had just seen her reflection in the highly polished Kelvinite surface of the opposite wall. "Oro the Fxxx is going on here! I'm not dressed? I sure as Hell don't remember undressing! And OW! Why the devil does my damned ass hurt so much?" she said aloud before she quickly stepped back inside and shut the portal. She grabbed a quick shower and decided not to wear her black leather outfit this time.

Opening a closet, she discovered an aoishi/white bodysuit with gloves and boots of matching light aoishi and a note from Yuri Donovan: 'I sure hope you can use these old uniforms of mine in your training session with Donnatella. If you need anything else, just trill me. Maybe I'll see you at dinner, Nat. Toodles.'- Yuri Donovan.

"I wonder where Donnatella is anyway?" asked Nat aloud.

"Chief Engineer Donnatella is on Level Four/Engineering, Lt Nat." replied a computerized voice.

"Holy Christ!" cried Nat, dropping the suit and almost having a heart attack. "Who said that? Show yourself!" she demanded, dropping into a fighting stance.

"Gomen. I am very sorry if I startled you, Lieutenant. I am the computer that controls this ship and I was merely answering your query." replied the same voice nat had heard before.

"Thanks andmy apologies, sir." said nat while pulling on the garments left for her by Yuri. "Not a bad fit really." she said while admiring herself in the mirror. She once more stepped into the hallway.

"Lieutenant? You have forgotten your gunsash and weapon. This is a violation of 'UG' and 3WA regulations. Article 6, Section 2, Subsection--" began the voice until Nat yelled at it.

"OK! Enough already! I'll wear the damned things! (She strapped the gunsash around her waist and slid the Mark VI blaster into her side holster.) Happy now, computer?" she demanded.

"Affirmative, Lt Nat. Good luck with your training." replied the voice.

"Whatever." answered Nat while strolling to the lift and riding it up another level. Donnatella was awaiting her at the lift station on Level 4 with a wide smile of welcome.

"Good afternoon, Lt. I trust you had no trouble finding me? My name is Donnatella and the vice-admiral has asked that I teach you the basics of our weaponry." he said.

"But why me? Why not Commander Wolfwood?" she queried.

"We do not know exactly when our passengers will start disappearing- that is, return to their own times and places- so at least three people must be ready at all times to 'step into the void' so to speak." explained the Ninja warrior.

"Oh. I get it now, I think. Chain of command, right? First Wolfwood, then you and then me. How am I doing?" asked Nat.

"Great. That is it exactly, Lieutenant or may I call you Nat?" asked Don.

"Nat's fine with me, Chief." she replied.

"Donnie is OK for me, Nat. Informality- remember?" said Donnie. "Now to work. We have several types of weapons aboard the 'Angel'. All or most of them are controlled from the command deck on Level 9. In addition to our secret weapon, the 'God Gun' as we call it, we've also got plasma cannons, disruptor blasters, photon torpedoes, incendiary grenades, ionic lasers which are sorta like phasers-- (Nat listened carefully to discourses for the better part of an hour. At last he stopped explaining and turned to his new student.) OK Nat, now you know virtually everything about the weaponry on this starcraft that I do. Any questions?" he asked.

"To be honest, Donnie, I sure as Hell hope that nothing happens to you and Nick! I thought that the 'Archangel' had really sophisticated weapons but it's got nothing to even begin to rival this stuff! Arigato a lot for trying to teach me though. Let's--" Nat was interrupted by Kome's voice calling everyone to dinner.

"Ma-dam, would you do me the honour of accompanying me down to dinner?" invited Donnie.

"The honour will be mine, sir." mimiced Nat, suppressing her urge to giggle. He offered her his arm and they strolled to the lift together.

"You know- this will be the first time in days that my brothers and I will be togther for dinner with our sensei, Master Splinter. You'll really like my family, Nat." he said.

"I lost all of my family in the first year of the 'Great War', I'm afraid. (Don offered his condolences) But you know that between the 'Earth Alliance' and this place with all these folks, I really feel like I'm part of a family once again." replied Nat.

"You're poing to be part of our family as well, Nat. Just like April and Casey. April O'Neal is like our sister and you'll like her. Casey Jones is like a brother to us but he's still back on 21st Century Earth or Terra like everyone seems to call it now. We left him in New York. I sure hope he's not getting into any trouble in our absence." said Donnie.

"I'm sure he's just fine. Probably worrying himself sick over you guys though! I hope that your family is reunited with him soon." replied Nat, kissing him on the forehead which caused the mighty Ninja warrior lad to blush!

"I thought this place looked pretty clean for a sewer! Who's your new girlfriend, Donnie?" The blush suddenly turned into shock!

END of Chapter 106. Chapter 107 'God Gun Goodies' or 'Along Came Jones' to follow soon. Have a cool day and Kami bless you. Please r/r/s away.-K&K

Cont in Ch 107-Part 1

Here's Ch 107-Part 1-Really long-K&K:smile:

DISCLAIMER: OK Casey, it's all yours! First, thank you to Mr. T. for the use of the Angels. Thanks to everyone else who is letting us use their creations. How was that, Yuri? Great! Oh yes it was, Kei! Well, we left you up in the air so let's get to Chapter 107 without further preamble:-

Chapter 107

'Gun Challenge' or 'Along Came Jones'

An astounded Donnatella was staring right into the craggy visage of Casey Jones! Just a second or so before he and Nat had been alone in the hallway- he was certain of it! "Casey? How the dickens did you get here? It seems like ages since I last saw you!" exclaimed Donnatella.

"What! Ages? Are you nuts or something, Donnie? It took me a whole hour to get rid of Hun and his 'Purple Dragons' goons! When I did, I started looking for you guys, Sensei and April. I followed one of those sewer conduits near West 63rd and then all of a sudden- Alakazam! I was here wherever the Hell 'here' is! But who's the hot number on your arm, Donnie Boy? She's cool, man!" said Casey.

Casey Jones was a tall 20-something dude who was handsome in a rugged kind of way. For once he was not wearing his trademark 'Jason Voorhees' hockey mask. Slung across his back was the familiar golf bag that Casey carried his 'weapons' in. His weapons? Hockey sticks and golf clubs of course!

"This is going to be our new sister, casey. Meet Nat Badgiruel and mind your manners, Casey- she's a Lieutenant! Nat, this is our brother, Casey Jones." said Donnie, making the introductions.

"Bad Girl, eh? Does she live up to her name, Don and since when have we got two sisters?" demanded Casey.

"We're going to adopt here and her name is 'Badgiruel' not 'Bad Girl', you idiot!" seethed Donnatella hotly.

"Hi there, Casey. I'm Nat. Pleased to make your acquaintance." said the Lieutenant, extending a gloved hand. Casey shook it and mumbled something which Donnie hoped was meant to be complimentary. "Look guys- sorry to break up this happy reunion but I'm famished! Can't you guys reminisce over food?" said Nat whose tummy was rumbling.

"Cowabonga, dudes! Sensei sent me to look for you and Lt Nat, man! Donnie! Is that Casey or some Zombie dude come to drink our blood?" said an apprehensive Michaelangelo. Once the 'ISSP' had arrived and claimed their prisoners, Emma had sent the 'Sol Bianca' and the 'Starcrusher' back to the 'Angel'. Donnie hastily explained things to Mikey who yelled "C'mon guys- our food's getting cold downstairs!" and dragged everyone to the lift.

"You'll get used to Mikey." said Donnie, hastening in Mikey and Casey's wake. Nat followed. By the time they arrived there, the dining hall was in its usual state of chaos! Nat headed for an empy seat but Don steered her towards a table on the opposite side of the huge room. "Don't 'ever' sit at the 'Animal House' table, Nat! Of course he meant the Inu Yasha table!

"Why not?" nat wanted to know.

"Watch and learn, my child." The speaker was (of all things!) a giant rat!

"Forgive me, Nat. This is our Sensei, Master Splinter and those are my other brothers, Leonardo and Raphael. You've already met Mikey and Casey and this is our sister, April O'Neal. Everyone, this is one of our newcomers. Her name's Lt Naturle Badgiruel- Nat for short." said Donnatella.

"Hi. So nice to meet all of you. Just call me Nat." said the tall brunette.

"Nat-San, you are most welcome and I was so sorry to hear that you lost your entire family in the first year of the war. We would be most honoured if you would now consider yourself as a part of our small family." said Master Splinter while rising and drawing out a chair for her. Nat was in shock!

"But- how? I mean- I did tell Donnie about that, but-" stammered the kawaii Lieutenant. April came to the rescue.

"He sort of, er, reads minds, Nat. It's a Ninja thing. You'll get used to it. Hi there, I'm April O'Neal and the big klutz over there is Casey Jones. Wait just a darn minute! Casey? How in the Hell! When did you get here? How the devil!" stammered April in turn.

"Another Ninja thing?" queried nat curiously.

"Nai. Most definitely not, my children. I believe that Mr Jones arrived here the very same way we did." said their Sensei.

A schoolgirl with long violet tresses jetted over to take their orders. "Hi. My name's Mako. May I take your orders, onegai?" she asked politely.

"Oro's on the menu, Mako?" asked Nat and the kid started to giggle.

"Whatever your little heart desires, ma'am." she answered.

"We usually try and think up something that the staff couldn't possibly make for us but so far we haven't been able to stump Zoe, Leila or their teams." said April. She was rudely interrupted by a howl of rage from the opposite side of the huge hall!

"I want ramen!"; This damned meat is cooked! I said raw dammit!"; Leave him alone!"; "Keep your hands to yourself, you pervert!"; "Osawaru (Sit) Boy!"; "OW! Oro the Hell was that for, wench!"; "Put down that staff, Jaken! You know very well that our powers have all been neutralized while we're here!"; "Sorry about that, Miss. I was aiming for the wolf."; "Will you bear my children?"; "I'm so sorry, Honey! I'm sure she didn't really mean to yank your chinos off, baby!" and like phrases drifted over to the Ninja's table! Of course, the table in question was the one being used by the Inu Yasha gang!

"Who drew the short straw this time, Mako?" asked an amused April.

"Mina did but she told us that it was no big deal and that she could handle them easily!" replied Mako with a smirk.

"Don't cry, Honey! I'll get 'em back for you!" A brown-haired kid shot past them screaming at the top of her lungs! All she had on was a tee shirt which she was desperately trying to pull down to cover for her lack of any outer lower garments! She lost the battle and her shocking pink bunny undies were on display for all to see! A red-headed tomboy was scampering across the ceiling and dragging a pair of dark grey chinos behind her! Hard on her heels followed a racing brunette in a crimson pantsuit.

"Hey Faye! Oro did Ed do this time?" yelled out a handsome dark-haired guy at the table next to the Ninjas.

"She yanked Mina's pants off and ran away with 'em, Han! Robin! Grab her!" yelled Faye Valentine who was panting.

A tallish teen-aged girl in a hooded black sweatshirt calmly reached above her head and grabbed Ed in one hand and the errant slacks in the other. She handed Ed back to Faye who boxed the tomboy's ears and stiffarm marched the kid back to their table. Robin Senna smiled and handed the chinos back to Mina who had wrapped herself up in the drapes! She grabbed the slacks and disappeared into the galley.

"I don't care oro Auntie Kei and Auntie Yuri say, I am not gonna wait on tables in this madhouse any more!" Mina's enraged shout could be heard back on 'Cybytron' and that was 25 lightyears away from them!

"Is dinnertime always this chaotic?" asked a bewildered nat Badgiruel.

"This is serene and peaceful, my dear, compared to most of our mealtimes." observed Master Splinter quietly. Mako had been impatiently waiting to take their orders.

"Well?" she demanded while tapping her foot.

"Steak- make it medium rare, potatoes au gratin, steamed sweet carrots, coffee and a 'Yaga' er a beer. Sorry to hold you up, Mako." apologized Nat.

"So oro else is new around here." she replied. They all decided to have the same thing as Nat except Mikey who ordered everything but the kitchen sink! After she'd jetted off to the galley, a small six or seven year old girl wearing a yellow tee shirt and red jeans timidly approached the dreaded table!

"Hi Rin. We, er, wrote down our orders for you. Just give it to Auntie Zoe or Auntie Leila, OK?" said Sango. As she bent forward to take the note from the demon slayer, Ed reached for Rin's belt but a very tall white-haired young man grabbed the miscreant by her collar and yanked Ed back down into her seat!

"Not this time, kiddo! Sit!" said Sesshomaru.

"Thank you, my Lord." said Rin, recovering the note and racing back to the galley with it.

"Oro is such a fine young gentleman doing with that bunch of rowdy idiots?" wondered Nat.

"He's family. That's Sesshomaru and he's Inu Yasha's brother. Inu Yasha's the guy laying on the floor." explained April.

While all this was going on down on Level 2, up on Level 9, the command deck was the scene of a standoff of sors. Everything in the vidlog from that fateful day had been faithfully repeated. Then the Klingon bird-of-prey starship had shown up right on cue. Now Kei was trying (in vain it seemed!) to persuade Zorkon, the Klingon War Commander not to fire his disruptor cannons into that infamous hole in the universe he had just come through!

Cont in Ch 107-Part 2

Here's Ch 107-Part 2-K&K:smile:

"But Captain, a Romulan warbird has just fired on us! We are simply returning fire!" explained War Commander Zorkon.

"But that war ended ages ago, man! It is now 2251 and not your time, Zorkon! And now, I'm a vice-admiral, not a captain!" replied the redheaded firebrand.

"What? But the last time you were a captain!" responded Zorkon perplexedly.

"Aha! So you admit now that we have met before!" replied Kei.

"Of course, Cap- er Admiral and you tried to stop me from firing into-" Then it hit him! "Yes, now I remember! When I fired that time, my ship was pulled into a black void until that hole reappeared and I used it to return here." said the puzzled Klingon commander.

"That's right, pal. Only you were pulled right out of time and space and firing into that rift was oro did it! Now just return to your own space and time, Zorkon. Turn around and leave. That's all you have to do, Commander." said the young vice-admiral.

"Yes, ma'am. I believe you're right. Helmsman! Bring us about and take us back the same way we just came. I thank you, my dear. Perhaps we shall meet again. G'Taark (Farewell) my dear Admiral and congratulations on your promotion." he replied, placing his right fist across the left side of his huge barrel chest and bowed to her. The bird-of-prey did a 180 degree turn, accellerated and vanished as did the hole it had just come through!

"That's that!" said Kei, collapsing into her chair.

"Well done, Admiral O'Halloran." said Rathelon. "Now you have only to return home to 'Shimougou' and follow my instructions. After that, things will return to normal for you." he added.

"Everyone will get to home, Rath? Are you sure?" asked Kei dubiously.

"I give you my word of honour as the founding father of the Time Lords and the first ruler of Gallifrey. Even the children will be returned home safely. Of course, not all at once will your, ahem, guests leave here, you understand?" asked the old time lord.

"Yeah, I know that, Rathie. Just so long as we ain't gonna be saddled with anybody permanently, I'm gonna be overjoyed!" she replied. "OK. First stop will be 'Halcyon' to pick up the 'Emerald Queen'. Then we transfer Khan to the 'Angel's' brig and then off to 'Alderaan' we go. Finally it's home to 'Shimougou' where I carry out your instructions, right?" said Kei and Rathelon's head bobbed up and down.

"I have the utmost confidence in you, my dear. I know you will not fail us, my dear child. Soon all of this will be naught but a pleasant memory to you all. Now I must return to my tomb on Gallifrey so I fear that this must be farewell. Sayonara and goodbye to you all, my dear tomos. Perhaps someday we shall meet again." said rathelon and then- he was gone!

"Christ! I thought he'd never leave, Boss! He gives me the Fxxxing creeps!" said Kome with a shudder. Kei turned to Legato.

"Well done, gang. Legato, take us to 'Halcyon'. Mar, lay in a new heading. Legato, the comm's yours. I'm starving! I'll have platters sent up for you guys. Coming Yuri?" said Kei, pulling on her jacket. She glanced at her wristchromo. "Mar, when do we reach 'Halcyon'?" she asked. Marlene Angel did some quick computations.

"Barring any further delays, 120 hours, er, 5 more days at Warp 4.8 from now, Boss." she replied.

"Good. Then I'll put off the next briefing session until ashita at 1100. Thanks guys, you're all great. See you later." said their c.o. Yuri grabbed her blazer and slung it over her shoulder.

"Oro's this big secret mission thing that you gotta do when we get home, Kei? You know- that thing Rathie told you to do- oro is it?" demanded the pert violet-maned vixen.

"Tell ya later, Yuri. Maybe ashita at the briefing." Then Kei yelled back up the corridor to the bridge. "Kome! Before you go to bed, tell all unit, section, team and flag officers that I want them in my ready room ashita at 100 hours. Understood? (Kome yelled OK) Legato, who's on the next bridge shift?" asked Kei.

"Jett, Spike, Richard and Rachel relieve us at midnight. You want the scanners manned this time, Boss?" replied the pilot from 'Gunsmoke'.

"Nai, I don't think so, Legato. I'll look in on the graveyard shift just before bedtime. Don't forget I owe you a duel, pal. How about ashita ban (tomorrow night) at 2100, OK?" she said.

"Sure, Boss. That'll be just fine but I'll still kick your ass for you, Admiral!" laughed Legato Bluesummers.

"We'll just see about that, boyo! And no mind reading either- That's cheating!" laughed Kei.

"I'll be a good boy, Mommy!" teased Legato while waving to her.

"Good news, Kei! Emma reports that the 'ISSP' transport ship has safely returned with her prisoners to Seto Kaiba. Feb and her crew have delivered the 'Botany Bay' to the 'ISSP' there and they have just arrived back at the 'Queen'. All of her remaining shuttles are safely back aboard as well. Emma says that she no longer has any reason to cool her heels on 'Halcyon' so with your permission, may she rendezvous with us here? She assures us that her prisoners are quite secure." reported Kome who had just finished decoding a signal from the 'Emerald Queen'. "Emma also requests that we inform her when the 'Sol Bianca' and 'Starcrusher' arrive here." she added.

"Oro prisoners? She's only supposed to have Khan left! The rest were to have been turned over to the 'ISSP' ship for transfer to 'Seto Kaiba', dammit! Tell Emma that the 'Sol' and the 'Starcrusher' have docked safely and that all hands are back aboard. Then patch that signal through to my ready room. Yuri- you're with me. This shouldn't take too long." said Kei.

Kome relayed the call to Kei's ready room after giving Emma her requested information. "OK, Kei. Emma's on vidline 4 whenever you're ready." reported Kome.

"OK, Kome. Thanks a lot." replied Kei. She keyed her ready room door and entered with Yuri bringing up the rear. "Shut that portal, Yuri." she added, keying into vidline 4. The smiling countenance of the rugged redheaded buccaneer filled the vidscreen.

"Hiya, Kei! I understand that congratulations are in order. A vice-admiral no less, eh? WOW!" said Emma.

"Belay that for the moment, Emma. Oro do you mean by prisoners? You're only supposed to have Khan left aboard the 'Queen'! Who else is still there?" demanded the redhead.

"The 'ISSP' refused to take Slade, Warp and a few others. The 'ISSP' commandant claimed that they were wanted for crimes ouside of their bailiwick! I've got about a dozen or so- all told. They almost kept Feb and her girls too but Mai managed to convince them to allow the Calendar Girls to leave by mentioning that they were part of an ongoing 3WA mission authorized by Andy Gooley. We had to use your name to stop 'em from grabbing Khan! Apparently the 'ISSP' don't want you anywhere near 'Seto Kaiba'!" chortled Emma.





Cont in Ch 107-Part 3

Here's Ch 107-Part 3-K&K:smile:

"OK, thanks. Sorry Emma but we've got to rendezvous with the USS Coriander from Starfleet anyway so we're already on our way back to 'Halcyon'." said Kei.

"The Coriander will meet you at 'Antares', kid. How far are you from there?" asked Emma.

"About three days if we hyperjump." answered the CO of the 'Angel'.

"You're, er, five days away from 'Halcyon' but the 'Queen' can make it to 'Antares' in four days if we use hyperjump so it's your call, Boss. Oro do you wanna do?" asked Emma.

"How blasted secure is whatever the Hell you're using for a brig? Gimme a visual on it." ordered Kei.

"Visual on your vidscreen 5, Kei." replied Emma. Kei saw a dozen or so storerooms- barred with triple force beam fields and a phalanx of six guards in the hallway. "That looks pretty secure. Where's Khan and the others?" she asked.

"Right over here, Boss." said Emma. The scene changed to what looked like a laboratory of some sort. At first she and Yuri could see nothing. Then Kei spotted a clear upright cylinder of some kind- nai, three or four of 'em! Three of them were already occupied- one by Khan and the remaining two she assumed by Slade and Warp! The cylinders seemed to be filled with a viscous fluid resembling salad oil and water! "The Baron's been experimenting with a breathable fluid he's christened 'LCL'. It's for piloting his new toys- the EVAs as he named them- they're some kinda gundam-like things! The stuff's quite safe and all three of our guests are being kept in a state of suspended animation. According to him they can exist in that state indefinitely so they can certainly last for a voyage to 'Alderaan'!" explained Emma smugly.

"OK. Meet us at 'Antares' and we'll wait for you. Dock below when you arrive. No matter how secure you think Khan is, I still want three more force beam fields around that room and six armed guards around the clock- three outside and three inside that room, got it?" commanded Kei.

"Roger willco that, Kei." said Emma.

By the way, Kid- Vegeeta has a strange girl named Nyssa in his crew now. He said they rescued her from Khan." said Kei.

"That's right, Boss. That poor kid! Khan killed off her entire family and annihilated their race! Then he destroyed her home world- Trakken! Khan needed a good star navigator having probably iced his own navigator! Anyway, since Nyssa's such a great navigator, Khan kept her on the 'Botany Bay' as his new navigator! She's quiet or at least she was quiet until she saw that idiot timelord- the 'Master'! She went ballistic the instant her aizu lit on him! She thinks that he iced her old man and then assumed his identity! That poor baka kid seems to believe that the 'Master' is possessing her father- body and soul! Well, I'll see you guys in four days- three if we get lucky! Sayonara, Boss." said Emma.

"See ya then, kid. Kei out." replied the redhead, blanking her vidscreen.

"Good God!" trilled a voice through Kei's comlink.

"Doctor? Is that you?" trilled Kei.

"Sorry about that but I just happened to overhear your last conversation with Emma. Did you say that Nyssa is aboard?" asked Doctor 4.

"Hai, Doc. She is. Do you know her?" asked the CO.

"Hai, I met her long ago and she's quite right. The 'Master' did kill her father and then he possessed his body to regenerate himself. A tragedy about her world! If she needs a home, I can easily--" trilled the time lord.

"Thank you, Doc but I believe that the 'UG' has already offered her a position and she'll be living on 'Alderaan' with Allison Kurtz. She's Mr Gooley's executive assistant." said Yuri Donovan.

"Well, if it doesn't work out for her, my offer still stands. Will I see you two at dinner?" asked Doctor 4.

"Hai, that's right, Kei! My tummy's rumbling again! I thought you said that you were starving?" said Yuri crossly.

"Hai, Doc. We'll see you downstairs in a few minutes." answered Kei. "OK, Yuri. Just one more call to make and then we'll split. "Mar? This is Kei. Onegai change our course to 'Antares' and use hyperjump to get us as close to it as you can. We rendezvous with the Coriander and the 'Queen' in another four days. Trill me when you're set to jump. Kei out." she trilled and helped Yuri on with her blazer. Yuri winced a bit as it slid across her shoulder. "Hey! You OK, kid?" asked Kei.

"Hai, I think so but that's the last time I'll offer to show Miss Moore (Rachel) any martial arts tactics! She threw me six times and drop kicked my poor shoulder four times!" she grumbled while Kei roared with laughter. "Oro's so frigging funny, you baka moron?" demanded her co-pilot angrily.

"Conan told me that his cousin (Rachel) has a balck belt in karate and that she was captain of her high school's martial arts team three years running." explained Kei. Yuri grabbed Kei's arm and it was Kei's turn to wince! "Cut it out, Yuri! I just had a lesson in the 'bo staff' from Donnatella! He a lot faster than he looks and stronger to boot! My arm's still numb!" said Kei. Now it was Yuri's turn to giggle!

"Anone mind if I sit here?" asked a short brunette clad in a black flight suit. Master Splinter arose and held out the chair for her.

"Of course, my dear child. You are most welcome here." he said and introduced the newbie to his family.

"Nice to meet you guys. I'm Nyssa. Mar, Vegeeta and his team just rescued me from a madman named Khan. I am eternally grateful to everyone for taking me in. You see, Khan destroyed my world and then he kidnapped me to serve as his navigator after he had killed his former navigations officer for arguing with him." explained Nyssa.

"Do you know this star system, Nyssa?" asked Donnatella.

"The 'Antares' system? Hai. Although I have never been here before, I have studied it for years. Yes, Mr Donnatella. I can navigate this system for you." she replied. The sensei signalled for a waitress and Serena jetted across to their table. Rin lumbered past her steering a heavily laden anti-grav trolley towards 'the' table!

"Oro's your pleasure, guys?" asked Serena, vidpad in hand.

"Our new tomo, Nyssa, would like to order onegai, Miss Serena." said Splinter.

"Of course, Sensei. Oro can I get you, Honey?" asked Sailor Moon. Nyssa thought a bit.

"Tomato soup, Waldorf salad, spaghetti and meatballs, Italian bread, coffee, er I mean expresso and a small glass of Cointreau, please. Apple pie for dessert and thank you, Miss." she ordered and Serena beamed at her.

"You got it, Nyssa." she said before jetting over to break up a fight between Rei, Ami, Ed and Rin. Ed had dumped tomato sauce all over Rin who had retaliated by spraying soda all over Ed but she missed Ed and spritzed Ami and Rei who started throwing pastries. Between the three of them along with Faye and Robin the witchgirl, Ed was speedily subdued.

"Say goodnight Ed. You've been very naughty so now it's bedtime for you." said the teen witch.

"Rei! Ami! Rin! You guys hit the showers and get into your night stuff. Then you can come back downstairs and stay up until 2200 er I mean ten tonight. Now Scat!" said Faye. Robin gathered up the quad kidsome and led them to the lift. Then Serena had to break up yet another foodfight- this time between the wolf (Kouga) and the dog (Inu Yasha)!

"Why can't you two act your ages, for Kami's sake?" she fumed, ducking a plate of ramen intended for Kouga.

"We're just teenagers, Mooney! How the heck do you think teens act?" asked Kouga."I told you guys to stop calling me Mooney! Now jsut cut it out!" yelled Serena. "Mina! Mako! Get over here and clean up this mess stat!" she ordered.

Into this melee of chaos strolled the two most senior officers of the ship! "Looks like the kids are restless again, Yuri." observed Kei.

"So? Like oro else is new, Kei? It looks like we missed the big fight though." replied Yuri.

"How can you tell?" asked Kei with a puzzled expression on her face.

"Rei, Ami, Rin, Ed and Robin are missing." replied Yuri. "You wanna sit with the Ninjas and the Archangels?" she added.

"Nai. Not tonight, Yuri. Let's grab that empty table over there by the TARDISes." said the redhead. "Serena!" yelled Kei, snapping her fingers.

"Yeah Boss? You ready to order?" asked Sailor Moon after jetting over to them.

"A couple of cheeseburgers, fries, some breadsticks, coffee and a shot of Jameson's. Black Forest cake for dessert, Serena. Thanks." said Kei.

"The same, Serena except I want a glass of Zinfandel instead of whiskey. Thank you, dear." said Yuri. She removed her blazer and draped it across her chairback. Kei frowned at her.

"Now everybody's gonna stare at us, Yuri." grumbled the redhead.

"Why?" asked the violet-maned vixen.

"That cannon under your arm's why." explained Kei. Yuri shrugged it off.

"Tough! It's too hot for the darn thing tonight!" complained Yuri.



Cont in Ch 107-Part 4

Here's Ch 107-Part 4-K&K:smile:

Conan Edogawa brought over their platters and Kei immediately began to wolf down her dinner. Between mouthfuls she remembered the flight crew. "Conan, send up some steaks, fries, rolls, veggies and something for dessert to Mar, Kome and Legato. Oh, yeah, a big pot of coffee too. Got all that, kiddo?" asked Kei.

Conan nodded to her. "Yes, Miss O'Halloran. I got it. I'll take them up myself." said Conan.

"Thanks a lot, Conan." said Yuri cheerily. When they'd finished, Mina cleared away the dishes and Kei lit up a cheroot. "Oro are you doing tonight, Kei?" asked Yuri.

"Guess I'll work on my report for Garner since Legato's on duty tonight but ashita ban (tomorrow night) we'll have that duel." said the redhead. "How about you?" she added.

"I feel like doing some target shooting tonight so I'll be up on the holodecks for an hour or so. Come on over after you finish your report for the 'G-man', OK?" invited Yuri.

"Yeah. OK. How about I put up my Mark XIII against your Mark III?" grinned Kei.

"Stakes?" replied Yuri and Kei thought for a minute or two.

"Loser's gotta serve the winner breakfast in bed for whole week. OK?" said Kei.

"Sure but I get to pick the target range style. Right?" asked her companion.

"Yeah, that's your call, kid. So oro'll it be- 'Stationary' or 'Combat'?" asked the redhead.

" 'Stationary' with good guys and bad guys. OK?" said Yuri Donovan.

"Fine by me." replied Kei. Yuri knew full well that the redhead's favorite style was 'Combat' and that Kei O'Halloran excelled in it! Kei had taken the 'Furool City Marksmanship Trophy Cup' three years running! Yuri Donovan had never placed higher than 116th place!

"At least now I'll have a fighting chance at finally beating your ass, Kei!" said Yuri. "I'll be on Holodeck 3 so I'll see you at nine maybe?" she added.

"Dream on, kid. I'll be there so make sure you get in some practice, Yuri." said a grinning Kei who then left for her quarters. A few seconds behind her, a shadow quietly detached itself from the bulkhead wall and followed the CO upstairs to Level 3. It was Lt Nat Badgiruel! Kei took the lift while Nat bounded up the gantryway stairs. Arriving at her door, Kei keyed it open and entered. The door closed behind her and Kei sat down on her sofa and began her report to Garner. Suddenly the door klaxons chimed. She glanced up and said "Come." The door swished aside to admit Nat. "Hi Nat. Oro can I do for you? asked her CO.

"I overheard your conversation with Yuri downstairs about your little wager." she said.

"So? Oro? You against bets or something?" asked Kei.

"Come on, Boss. Is that fair? A Mark XIII against a Mark III--" began Nat when Kei's emerald aizu flamed with anger.

"You baka! I can beat anybody on board you may care to choose with any weapons they may care to use, Lt Naturle Badgiruel!" roared Kei angrily.

"Prove it, Honey. Duel Yuri with a Mark III." said Nat with folded arms. Kei bristled and touched her earring.

"Yuri? You on the holodeck yet?" trilled Kei.

"Just got up her, Boss. Why?" trilled Yuri.

"Nat says I can't beat your ass using that toy peashooter of yours so I'll duel you one-on-one with your gun- OK?" trilled Kei.

"You mean a Mark III? You?" Yuri sounded like she was in deep shock!

"I can beat you with a slingshot for Kami's sake! You mind if we let Nat watch the fun and games, kid?" trilled Kei.

"Sure. Why not? Why don't we just broadcast the match all over the whole ship unless you're afraid of letting the entire ship's company see you get your ass clobbered by me?" giggled Yuri.

"You're on, bigmouth!" trilled Kei. "But don't say I didn't warn you!" she added.

Nat grabbed the PA mike. "At 2100 hours, our own co and her exec, better know to you as Kei and Yuri, will battle one-on-one with Mark III ion cannons on Holodeck 3 on Level 8. The match will be broadcast on all vidscreens aboard the ship and everyone is invited to watch. The loser will have to serve the winner breakfast in bed for an entire week. I'll be up there to referee the match and report all the action to you. Lt Nat Badgiruel- signing off now." she said and laid down the mike.

"Nat? Do me a favor- eh?" asked Kei.

"Sure. Anything. Boss. Oro is it you want me to do?" asked nat.

"Now that you've told the whole shimatta ship about our match, get the Hell outta here! I'll see you upstairs at 2100 so don't be late!" said Kei.

END of Chapter 107. Ch 108 'The Great Gun Match Battle' or 'Gunfight at the Angel Corrall' to follow. Have a good weekend, tomos and r/r/s. Kami bless you all-K&K

Cont in Ch 108-Part 1

Here's a super long one. Ch 108-Part 1-K&K:smile:

DISCLAIMER: OKRally, it's all yours! First, thank you to Mr. T. for the use of the Angels. Thanks to everyone else who is letting us use their creations. How was that, Yuri? Great! Oh yes it was, Kei! Well, we left you up in the air so let's get to Chapter 108 without further preamble:-

Chapter 108

'Found in Space' or 'Practice Makes Perfect?'

Kei finished drafting her report before changing into her sweats and sneakers. She chose a gunsash with a side holster and strapped it around her waist. Next she unlocked a concealed cabinet and hunted around in it until she had finally unearthed her old Mark III ion cannon. "Christ! I ain't fired one of these things since I was ten!" she said aloud. Then she fished around a bit more and found two tiny power packs which she slipped into her ammo pouch. After checking the Mark's action, Kei slid the cannon into her holster. Her wristchromo was reading 1830 hours or six thirty in the evening. "Two and a half hours to practice but not in front of the vacuumhead! I know- the target ranges down on sublevel five." thought Kei as she was strolling towards the lift which she rode down to sublevel two, the lowest floor on her ship accessible by lift. She had to use the gantryway stairs for the last three sublevels to get down to sublevel five which was the craft's lowest level. Keying open the portals to the range, Kei entered and set the targets at 300 meters. A few quick shots and the redhead had settled back into her easy firing routine. What Yuri did not know was that from the time that Kei was six until she turned ten, she owned the title for Mark III's in her age classes! Yuri's ratings in those last three yearly matches were 125th when she was eight, 126th when she was nine and 127th when she was ten! Yuri got steadily worse while Kei (whom she did not meet until she was eleven and Kei was twelve) won the Mark III event each year. After that, Kei did not compete in the Mark III matches. Instead she started using and winning with the larger ion cannons. Yuri kept on competing and losing with her Mark III. Her finished between the ages of eleven and seventeen were in the low 90's. Kei practiced until almost 2000 hours or eight PM while Yuri practiced until 1930 hours or seven thirty PM.

Yuri went down to the rec room for some refreshment before the match while Kei decided to visit the bridge. Kei was very pleased with her marksmanship- 25 dead centre skull hits out of 26 and that one miss had only been off by a centimeter or two! She found Legato wide awake on the bridge while Mar and Kome were asleep in their seats. "Leave 'em alone, Kei. They're bushed. I gave 'em both permission to doze off." said Legato. Kei shared coffee and Danish with him and they discussed 'Duel Monsters' strategies until almost 2000 hours or eight PM.

Yuri on the other hand had had a horrible and dreadful practice session! Out of thirty tries, she had only managed to barely clip the extreme edge of one of the silhouette targets once! She took that one target along with her to stare at while she was having her herbal tea and a croissant in the rec room where Nat soon joined her. "Tough practice, kid?" she asked and Yuri nodded and smiled ruefully at the young Lieutenant.

"Let's face it, Nat! I'm just no damned good at shooting! Looks like I'll be serving Miss Kierran O'Halloran breakfast in bed for the next week! Just once I wish that I could beat her at her own game but even with my own piece, I just flat out 'stink' at marksmanship!" she wailed. Nat pulled Yuri's Mark III out of its holster and studied the weapon very carefully.

"Not much different than a .25 calibre auto, Honey. Bet I could teach you how to shoot this thing. We got abou an hour and a half until the match begins. Want me to give you some pointers?" asked the svelte brunette.

"You any damned good with guns?" asked Yuri.

"Aboard the 'Archangel', I am not just the exec! I am also the weapons officer. Let's go on up and I'll show you how easy it is to shoot- even with this weird looking thing!" coaxed Nat.

"OK, let's go." agreed the 'Angel's' exec officer. She and Nat had soon arrived up on Level eight where Yuri called for the 'Arch' on Holodeck 3. They stepped into a shooting range simulation. "Thirty targets set at 50 meter intervals from 50 meters up to 300 meters. Kei can hit the ones at 300 with ease. I can't even hit the ones at fifty!" said Yuri with a wan expression on her face.

"Well, we have the edge. Kei isn't used to a Mark III. Just like the guys on our old ship aren't used to .25 calibre automatics- they prefer .357 magnums or .45 calibre autos instead." explained Nat. "Take your stance, Yuri." she added. The violet-maned 'Angel' exec stood and planted both feet tight together and she had a death grip on her small weapon with both fists and she was shaking like she was afflicted with St Vitus Dance!

"NO! Feet shoulder width apart, left foot should be slightly ahead of right. Loosen up on that grip, girl! It's a gun, not a lifeline! Now sight in your target and aim just below it. Close your eyes and picture it in your mind. Got it? (Yuri nodded) Now just squeeze the trigger." said Nat.

POP! CRAACK! The energy bolt struck the silhouette target almost dead centre! "Take a look, kiddo!" said Nat.

"WOW! That felt really easy!" crowed Yuri.

"Great. This time take a deep breath and hold it. Let it out just before you fire." said Nat. Yuri did and she hit another target dead centre bull! Nat nodded in satisfaction. "Now you practice like that for a bit while I use the Little Girls' room." she added and turned to go.

"Second door on the right, Nat." said the exec without taking her aizu off her targets. Nat went straight into the restroom and trilled Cagalli Yula Athna.

"Cag? This is Nat. You there?" she trilled.

"Yeah. I was just on my way down to the rec room though. (Actually Cag had just showered and was now getting dressed) What do you need, Lt? (Cag listened carefully and grunted 'yeah' a few times while Nat laid down her plans) So- it'll be just like the 'Man Who Shot Liberty Valance', eh? Huh? Yeah, I think she's an arrogant, self-centred little bitch too, Nat! I'll be happy to do that for you and Yuri but how do I get in there without Yuri spotting me? Yeah, that should work OK. Shall we say 2030, er eight thirty this evening? OK, I'll wait in that restroom until I hear you guys coming up in the lift. Then I'll slip into the locker room. You'll leave the piece in the second locker from the left? OK, Nat- got it. I'll be there!" trilled Cag.

Cont in Ch 108-Part 2